List of counties in Texas
Subdivisions of Texas, US
The U.S. state of Texas is divided into 254 counties , more than any other U.S. state.[ 1] While only about 20% of Texas counties are generally located within the Houston—Dallas—San Antonio—Austin areas, they serve a majority of the state's population with approximately 22,000,000 inhabitants.
Texas was originally divided into municipalities (municipios in Spanish ), a unit of local government under Spanish and Mexican rule. When the Republic of Texas gained its independence in 1836, the 23 municipalities became the original Texas counties. Many of these were later divided into new counties. The last county to be initially created was Kenedy County in 1921, but Loving County is the newest organized county; it was first organized in 1893 in an apparent scheme to defraud, abolished in 1897, then reorganized in 1931. Most of these recent counties, especially near the northwest, were created from Bexar County during the 1870s.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
Each county is run by a commissioners' court , consisting of four elected commissioners (one from each of four precincts drawn based on population) and a county judge elected from all the voters of the county. In smaller counties, the county judge actually does perform judicial duties , but in larger counties, the county judge functions as the county's chief executive officer . Certain officials, such as the sheriff and tax collector , are elected separately by the voters, but the commissioners' court determines their office budgets , and sets overall county policy. All county elections are partisan; the one exception is the board of trustees of the Dallas County department of education (the Harris County trustees were elected on a nonpartisan basis until 1984).[ 5]
While the counties have eminent domain power and control all unincorporated land within their boundaries, they have neither home-rule authority nor zoning power. The county is responsible for providing essential services (except for fire and ambulance, which are often supplied by volunteer fire departments). Unlike other US states, Texas does not allow for consolidated city-county governments. Cities and counties (as well as other political entities) are permitted to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services (as an example, a city and a school district may enter into agreements with the county whereby the county bills for and collects property taxes for the city and school district; thus, only one tax bill is sent instead of three).[ 6] School districts are independent of county and city government (with the exception of the Stafford Municipal School District , which is city controlled).
The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, which is used by the United States government to uniquely identify states and counties, is provided with each entry.[ 7] Texas' code is 48
, which when combined with any county code would be written in the form of 48XXX
. The FIPS code for each county in the table links to census data for that county.
List
County
FIPS code[ 8]
County seat[ 9]
Est. [ 9]
Origin
Etymology
Population[ 10]
Area[ 9]
Map
Anderson County
001
Palestine
1846
Houston County
Kenneth Lewis Anderson (1805–1845) , the last vice president of the Republic of Texas
57,736
1,071 sq mi (2,774 km2 )
Andrews County
003
Andrews
1876
Bexar County
Richard Andrews (1800–1835) , the first Texan soldier to die in the Texas Revolution
18,664
1,501 sq mi (3,888 km2 )
Angelina County
005
Lufkin
1846
Nacogdoches County
A Hainai Native American woman who assisted early Spanish missionaries, whom they called "Little Angel" (Spanish:Angelina )
87,319
802 sq mi (2,077 km2 )
Aransas County
007
Rockport
1871
Refugio County
Aransas Bay , named in turn for an early Spanish fort; this support was supposedly named in turn for a Spanish palace Aránzazu, possibly related to the Sanctuario de Aránzazu . (Arantzazu is Basque for "place of thorns")
25,374
252 sq mi (653 km2 )
Archer County
009
Archer City
1858
Fannin County
Branch Tanner Archer , a commissioner for the Republic of Texas
9,029
910 sq mi (2,357 km2 )
Armstrong County
011
Claude
1876
Bexar County
One of several Texas pioneer families, although it is not certain which one
1,832
914 sq mi (2,367 km2 )
Atascosa County
013
Jourdanton
1856
Bexar County
The Spanish word for "boggy"
51,784
1,232 sq mi (3,191 km2 )
Austin County
015
Bellville
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836) , known as the Father of Texas
31,677
653 sq mi (1,691 km2 )
Bailey County
017
Muleshoe
1876
Bexar County
Peter James Bailey III , a soldier and defender of the Alamo
6,672
827 sq mi (2,142 km2 )
Bandera County
019
Bandera
1856
Bexar County
Bandera Pass , named in turn for the Spanish word for "flag "
22,637
792 sq mi (2,051 km2 )
Bastrop County
021
Bastrop
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Baron Felipe Enrique Neri de Bastrop , the Dutch settler who provided essential help to Stephen F. Austin in obtaining his original land grants
110,778
888 sq mi (2,300 km2 )
Baylor County
023
Seymour
1858
Fannin County
Henry Weidner Baylor, a surgeon in the Texas Rangers during the Mexican–American War
3,463
871 sq mi (2,256 km2 )
Bee County
025
Beeville
1857
San Patricio County , Goliad County , Refugio County , Live Oak County , and Karnes County
Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr. (1787–1853) , a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas
30,850
880 sq mi (2,279 km2 )
Bell County
027
Belton
1850
Milam County
Peter Hansborough Bell , the third governor of Texas (1849–1853)
393,193
1,059 sq mi (2,743 km2 )
Bexar County
029
San Antonio
1836
One of the original 23 counties
San Antonio de Béxar , the major presidio in Mexican Texas, named in turn for the San Antonio River and the Spanish viceroy 's family, who were Dukes of Béjar in Spain
2,087,679
1,247 sq mi (3,230 km2 )
Blanco County
031
Johnson City
1858
Burnet County , Comal County , Gillespie County and Hays County
The Blanco River . (Blanco is Spanish for "white")
13,048
711 sq mi (1,841 km2 )
Borden County
033
Gail
1876
Bexar County
Gail Borden, Jr. (1801–1874) , businessman, publisher, surveyor, and inventor of condensed milk
572
899 sq mi (2,328 km2 )
Bosque County
035
Meridian
1854
McLennan County
The Bosque River . (Bosque is Spanish for "wooded")
18,996
989 sq mi (2,561 km2 )
Bowie County
037
New Boston
1840
Red River County
James Bowie (1796–1836) , the legendary knife fighter who died at the Battle of the Alamo
91,687
888 sq mi (2,300 km2 )
Brazoria County
039
Angleton
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Brazoria, Texas , an early port on the Brazos River
398,938
1,387 sq mi (3,592 km2 )
Brazos County
041
Bryan
1841
Washington County . Named Navasota County until 1842
The Brazos River (from Spanish Los Brazos de Dios , the arms of God)
244,703
586 sq mi (1,518 km2 )
Brewster County
043
Alpine
1887
Presidio County
Henry Percy Brewster (1816–1884) , a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas and soldier in the Civil War
9,513
6,193 sq mi (16,040 km2 )
Briscoe County
045
Silverton
1876
Bexar County
Andrew Briscoe (1810–1849) , a signatory of the Texan Declaration of Independence and soldier during the Texan Revolution
1,445
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Brooks County
047
Falfurrias
1911
Starr County
James Abijah Brooks , a Texas Ranger and state legislator
6,848
943 sq mi (2,442 km2 )
Brown County
049
Brownwood
1856
Comanche County and Travis County
Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco
38,709
944 sq mi (2,445 km2 )
Burleson County
051
Caldwell
1846
Milam County
Edward Burleson (1798–1851) , a general of the Texas Revolution and Vice President of the Republic of Texas
19,475
666 sq mi (1,725 km2 )
Burnet County
053
Burnet
1852
Bell County , Travis County and Williamson County
David Gouverneur Burnet , the first president of the Republic of Texas (1836)
53,991
995 sq mi (2,577 km2 )
Caldwell County
055
Lockhart
1848
Bastrop County and Gonzales County
Matthew Caldwell , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier during the Texas Revolution
49,859
546 sq mi (1,414 km2 )
Calhoun County
057
Port Lavaca
1846
Jackson County , Matagorda County and Victoria County
John C. Calhoun , the seventh vice president of the United States (1825–1832)
19,696
512 sq mi (1,326 km2 )
Callahan County
059
Baird
1858
Bexar County , Bosque County , and Travis County
James Hughes Callahan, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
14,374
899 sq mi (2,328 km2 )
Cameron County
061
Brownsville
1848
Nueces County and lands ceded by Mexico
Ewen Cameron , a soldier during the Texas Revolution killed during the Black Bean Episode
426,710
906 sq mi (2,347 km2 )
Camp County
063
Pittsburg
1874
Upshur County
John Lafayette Camp (1828–1891) , a Texas state senator
13,000
198 sq mi (513 km2 )
Carson County
065
Panhandle
1876
Bexar County
Samuel Price Carson , the first secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (1836–1838)
5,878
923 sq mi (2,391 km2 )
Cass County
067
Linden
1846
Bowie County
Lewis Cass (1782–1866) , a senator from Michigan , who had favored the annexation of Texas to the United States . Named Davis County 1861-1871
28,659
938 sq mi (2,429 km2 )
Castro County
069
Dimmitt
1876
Bexar County
Henri Castro (1786–1865) , a French consul general for the Republic of Texas and founder of a colony in Texas
7,227
898 sq mi (2,326 km2 )
Chambers County
071
Anahuac
1858
Jefferson County and Liberty County
Thomas Jefferson Chambers , lawyer and surveyor who helped to resolve land disputes for Americans in Mexican Texas
53,876
599 sq mi (1,551 km2 )
Cherokee County
073
Rusk
1846
Nacogdoches County
The Cherokee Native American tribe
52,217
1,052 sq mi (2,725 km2 )
Childress County
075
Childress
1876
Bexar County
George Campbell Childress (1804–1841) , one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence
6,788
710 sq mi (1,839 km2 )
Clay County
077
Henrietta
1857
Cooke County
Henry Clay , U.S. Senator from Kentucky and ninth secretary of state of the United States (1825–1829)
10,738
1,098 sq mi (2,844 km2 )
Cochran County
079
Morton
1876
Bexar County
Robert E. Cochran (1810–1836) , a defender of the Alamo
2,509
775 sq mi (2,007 km2 )
Coke County
081
Robert Lee
1889
Tom Green County
Richard Coke , the 15th governor of Texas (1874–1876)
3,352
899 sq mi (2,328 km2 )
Coleman County
083
Coleman
1858
Brown County and Travis County
Robert M. Coleman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
7,842
1,273 sq mi (3,297 km2 )
Collin County
085
McKinney
1846
Fannin County
Collin McKinney (1766–1861) , an author of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the oldest person to sign it
1,195,359
848 sq mi (2,196 km2 )
Collingsworth County
087
Wellington
1876
Bexar County
James Collinsworth , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and first chief justice of the Republic of Texas. (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county)
2,563
919 sq mi (2,380 km2 )
Colorado County
089
Columbus
1836
One of the original 23 counties
The Colorado River of Texas (Colorado is Spanish for "colored")
21,117
963 sq mi (2,494 km2 )
Comal County
091
New Braunfels
1846
Bexar County
The Comal River . (Comal is Spanish for "basin")
193,928
562 sq mi (1,456 km2 )
Comanche County
093
Comanche
1856
Bosque County and Coryell County
The Comanche Native American tribe
14,050
938 sq mi (2,429 km2 )
Concho County
095
Paint Rock
1858
Bexar County
The Concho River . (Concho is Spanish for "shell")
3,297
992 sq mi (2,569 km2 )
Cooke County
097
Gainesville
1848
Fannin County
William Gordon Cooke, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
43,782
874 sq mi (2,264 km2 )
Coryell County
099
Gatesville
1854
Bell County
James Coryell, a frontiersman and Texas Ranger who was killed by Native Americans
84,878
1,052 sq mi (2,725 km2 )
Cottle County
101
Paducah
1876
Fannin County
George Washington Cottle , who died defending the Alamo
1,294
901 sq mi (2,334 km2 )
Crane County
103
Crane
1887
Tom Green County
William Carey Crane , a president of Baylor University
4,574
786 sq mi (2,036 km2 )
Crockett County
105
Ozona
1875
Bexar County
David Crockett (1786–1836) , the legendary frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo
2,858
2,808 sq mi (7,273 km2 )
Crosby County
107
Crosbyton
1876
Bexar County
Stephen Crosby , a Texas Land Commissioner
4,917
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Culberson County
109
Van Horn
1911
El Paso County
David Browning Culberson , a lawyer, U.S. Congressman, and soldier in the Civil War
2,196
3,813 sq mi (9,876 km2 )
Dallam County
111
Dalhart
1876
Bexar County
James Wilmer Dallam , a lawyer and newspaper publisher who had a close association with the Supreme Court of Texas
7,237
1,505 sq mi (3,898 km2 )
Dallas County
113
Dallas
1846
Nacogdoches County and Robertson County
George Mifflin Dallas , the eleventh vice president of the United States (1845–1849) (Disputed)
2,606,358
880 sq mi (2,279 km2 )
Dawson County
115
Lamesa
1876
Bexar County
Nicholas Mosby Dawson , a soldier of the Texan Revolution and victim of the Dawson Massacre
12,004
902 sq mi (2,336 km2 )
Deaf Smith County
117
Hereford
1876
Bexar County
Erastus "Deaf" Smith (1787–1837) , a scout during the Texan Revolution
18,347
1,497 sq mi (3,877 km2 )
Delta County
119
Cooper
1870
Hopkins County and Lamar County
Its triangular shape, much like the Greek letter Delta
5,520
277 sq mi (717 km2 )
Denton County
121
Denton
1846
Fannin County
John Bunyan Denton (1806–1841) , a preacher, lawyer, and soldier killed during a raid on a Native American camp
1,007,703
888 sq mi (2,300 km2 )
DeWitt County
123
Cuero
1846
Goliad County , Gonzales County and Victoria County
Green DeWitt , an empresario who founded an early colony in Texas
19,929
909 sq mi (2,354 km2 )
Dickens County
125
Dickens
1876
Bexar County
J.A. Dickens, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
1,711
904 sq mi (2,341 km2 )
Dimmit County
127
Carrizo Springs
1858
Bexar County , Maverick County , Uvalde County and Webb County
Philip Dimmitt , a major figure in the Texas Revolution
8,257
1,331 sq mi (3,447 km2 )
Donley County
129
Clarendon
1876
Bexar County
Stockton P. Donley , a frontier lawyer and Texas Supreme Court justice
3,214
930 sq mi (2,409 km2 )
Duval County
131
San Diego
1858
Live Oak County , Nueces County and Starr County
Burr Harrison DuVal (1809–1836) , a soldier in the Texas Revolution who died in the Goliad Massacre
9,604
1,793 sq mi (4,644 km2 )
Eastland County
133
Eastland
1858
Bosque County , Coryell County and Travis County
William Mosby Eastland, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
18,037
926 sq mi (2,398 km2 )
Ector County
135
Odessa
1887
Tom Green County
Matthew Ector (1822–1879) , a Confederate general during the Civil War
164,494
901 sq mi (2,334 km2 )
Edwards County
137
Rocksprings
1858
Bexar County
Haden Edwards (1771–1849) , empresario and filibuster who led the Fredonian Rebellion
1,393
2,120 sq mi (5,491 km2 )
Ellis County
139
Waxahachie
1849
Navarro County
Richard Ellis (1781–1846) , president of the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence
222,829
940 sq mi (2,435 km2 )
El Paso County
141
El Paso
1848
Santa Fe County
Neighboring Ciudad Juárez, Mexico , formerly called El Paso del Norte as it served as the pass north from central Mexico to the settlements of New Mexico
869,880
1,013 sq mi (2,624 km2 )
Erath County
143
Stephenville
1856
Bosque County and Coryell County
George Bernard Erath , an early surveyor and a soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
44,195
1,086 sq mi (2,813 km2 )
Falls County
145
Marlin
1850
Limestone County and Milam County
The Falls on the Brazos
17,286
769 sq mi (1,992 km2 )
Fannin County
147
Bonham
1837
Red River County
James Walker Fannin, Jr. (1805–1836) , the commander of the Texans killed in the Goliad Massacre
37,571
892 sq mi (2,310 km2 )
Fayette County
149
La Grange
1837
Bastrop County
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (1757–1834) , the French -born general and hero of the American Revolutionary War
25,474
950 sq mi (2,460 km2 )
Fisher County
151
Roby
1876
Bexar County
Samuel Rhoads Fisher (1794–1839) , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and secretary of the Navy under the Republic of Texas
3,612
901 sq mi (2,334 km2 )
Floyd County
153
Floydada
1876
Bexar County
Dolphin Ward Floyd, who died defending the Alamo
5,090
992 sq mi (2,569 km2 )
Foard County
155
Crowell
1891
Cottle County , Hardeman County , King County and Knox County
Robert Levi Foard, an attorney and Confederate major in the Civil War
1,079
707 sq mi (1,831 km2 )
Fort Bend County
157
Richmond
1837
Austin County , Brazoria County and Harris County
A blockhouse positioned in a bend of the Brazos River
916,778
875 sq mi (2,266 km2 )
Franklin County
159
Mount Vernon
1875
Titus County
Benjamin Cromwell Franklin (1805–1873) , a judge and Texas State Senator
10,735
286 sq mi (741 km2 )
Freestone County
161
Fairfield
1850
Limestone County
A type of peach grown in the area[ 11]
20,441
885 sq mi (2,292 km2 )
Frio County
163
Pearsall
1858
Atascosa County , Bexar County and Uvalde County
The Frio River (Frío is Spanish for "cold")
17,987
1,133 sq mi (2,934 km2 )
Gaines County
165
Seminole
1876
Bexar County
James Gaines, merchant and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
22,523
1,502 sq mi (3,890 km2 )
Galveston County
167
Galveston
1838
Brazoria County , Harris County and Liberty County
Its county seat , named after Bernardo de Gálvez , Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory (1777–1785)
361,744
399 sq mi (1,033 km2 )
Garza County
169
Post
1876
Bexar County
José Antonio de la Garza , pioneering settler and first Mayor of San Antonio
4,517
896 sq mi (2,321 km2 )
Gillespie County
171
Fredericksburg
1848
Bexar County and Travis County
Robert Addison Gillespie , a merchant, Mexican–American War soldier, and Texas Ranger
27,733
1,061 sq mi (2,748 km2 )
Glasscock County
173
Garden City
1887
Tom Green County
George Washington Glasscock (1810–1868) , an early Texian settler, businessman, soldier, and state representative
1,141
901 sq mi (2,334 km2 )
Goliad County
175
Goliad
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , named in turn as an anagram of Miguel Hidalgo , the inspirational figure behind the Mexican War of Independence
7,144
854 sq mi (2,212 km2 )
Gonzales County
177
Gonzales
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , named in turn for Coahuila y Tejas governor Rafael Gonzales
19,930
1,068 sq mi (2,766 km2 )
Gray County
179
Pampa
1876
Bexar County
Peter W. Gray (1819–1874) , a lawyer, state senator, and soldier in the Civil War
20,916
928 sq mi (2,404 km2 )
Grayson County
181
Sherman
1846
Fannin County
Peter Wagener Grayson, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas
146,907
934 sq mi (2,419 km2 )
Gregg County
183
Longview
1873
Upshur County
John Gregg (1828–1864) , a Confederate general during the Civil War
126,243
274 sq mi (710 km2 )
Grimes County
185
Anderson
1846
Montgomery County
Jesse Grimes (1788–1866) , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early settler of the future county
32,384
794 sq mi (2,056 km2 )
Guadalupe County
187
Seguin
1846
Bexar County and Gonzales County
The Guadalupe River , named in turn for the Mexican spiritual icon Our Lady of Guadalupe
188,454
711 sq mi (1,841 km2 )
Hale County
189
Plainview
1876
Bexar County
John C. Hale, a lieutenant killed in action at the Battle of San Jacinto
31,761
1,005 sq mi (2,603 km2 )
Hall County
191
Memphis
1876
Bexar County
Warren DeWitt Clinton Hall , a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas (1836)
2,818
903 sq mi (2,339 km2 )
Hamilton County
193
Hamilton
1856
Bosque County , Comanche County and Lampasas County
James Hamilton Jr. , governor of South Carolina (1830–1832) who gave financial aid to the Republic of Texas
8,619
836 sq mi (2,165 km2 )
Hansford County
195
Spearman
1876
Bexar County
John M. Hansford, a Texas state representative and judge
5,071
920 sq mi (2,383 km2 )
Hardeman County
197
Quanah
1858
Fannin County
Bailey Hardeman , the first secretary of the treasury for the Republic of Texas, and his brother Thomas Jones Hardeman, state representative and judge
3,490
695 sq mi (1,800 km2 )
Hardin County
199
Kountze
1858
Jefferson County and Liberty County
The Hardin family, earliest settlers of Liberty County
58,261
894 sq mi (2,315 km2 )
Harris County
201
Houston
1836
One of the original 23 counties
John Richardson Harris , early settler and founder of Harrisburg, Texas , which eventually became known as Houston Named Harrisburg County until 1839
4,835,125
1,729 sq mi (4,478 km2 )
Harrison County
203
Marshall
1839
Shelby County
Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and soldier in the Texas Revolution
70,895
899 sq mi (2,328 km2 )
Hartley County
205
Channing
1876
Bexar County
Oliver C. and Rufus K. Hartley, brothers and original reporters for the Texas Supreme Court
5,145
1,462 sq mi (3,787 km2 )
Haskell County
207
Haskell
1858
Fannin County and Milam County
Charles Ready Haskell, Texas revolutionary soldier killed in the Goliad Massacre
5,385
903 sq mi (2,339 km2 )
Hays County
209
San Marcos
1848
Travis County
John Coffee Hays (1817–1883) , a leading Texas Ranger and Mexican–American War officer
280,486
678 sq mi (1,756 km2 )
Hemphill County
211
Canadian
1876
Bexar County
John Hemphill (1803–1862) , U.S. Senator and Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
3,189
910 sq mi (2,357 km2 )
Henderson County
213
Athens
1846
Houston County and Nacogdoches County
James Pinckney Henderson , the first governor of Texas (1846–1847)
86,158
874 sq mi (2,264 km2 )
Hidalgo County
215
Edinburg
1852
Cameron County
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811) , the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence from Spain
898,471
1,569 sq mi (4,064 km2 )
Hill County
217
Hillsboro
1853
Navarro County
George Washington Hill , a secretary of war and secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
38,101
962 sq mi (2,492 km2 )
Hockley County
219
Levelland
1876
Bexar County
George Washington Hockley (1802–1854) , Chief of Staff of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution and secretary of war of the Republic of Texas
21,460
908 sq mi (2,352 km2 )
Hood County
221
Granbury
1866
Johnson County
John Bell Hood (1831–1879) , a Confederate lieutenant general and the commander of Hood's Texas Brigade
67,774
422 sq mi (1,093 km2 )
Hopkins County
223
Sulphur Springs
1846
Lamar County and Nacogdoches County
David Hopkins, an early settler in the future county
38,172
785 sq mi (2,033 km2 )
Houston County
225
Crockett
1837
Nacogdoches County
Sam Houston (1793–1863) , general of the Texan Revolution, commander at the Battle of San Jacinto and later president of the Republic of Texas, U.S. Senator and governor of the state of Texas
22,066
1,231 sq mi (3,188 km2 )
Howard County
227
Big Spring
1876
Bexar County
Volney Eskine Howard , U.S. Representative from Texas (1849–1853)
30,554
903 sq mi (2,339 km2 )
Hudspeth County
229
Sierra Blanca
1917
El Paso County
Claude Benton Hudspeth , a U.S. Congressman (1919–1931) , rancher, and newspaper publisher
3,451
4,571 sq mi (11,839 km2 )
Hunt County
231
Greenville
1846
Fannin County and Nacogdoches County
Memucan Hunt, Jr. (1807–1856) , a secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
113,347
841 sq mi (2,178 km2 )
Hutchinson County
233
Stinnett
1876
Bexar County
Andrew Hutchinson, an early settler and attorney
20,033
887 sq mi (2,297 km2 )
Irion County
235
Mertzon
1889
Tom Green County
Robert Anderson Irion (1804–1861) , a secretary of state in the Republic of Texas
1,549
1,052 sq mi (2,725 km2 )
Jack County
237
Jacksboro
1856
Cooke County
Patrick and William Jack, brothers, participants in the Anahuac Disturbance , and veterans of the Texas Revolution
8,875
917 sq mi (2,375 km2 )
Jackson County
239
Edna
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Andrew Jackson , hero of the Battle of New Orleans and the seventh president of the United States (1829–1837)
15,221
830 sq mi (2,150 km2 )
Jasper County
241
Jasper
1836
One of the original 23 counties
William Jasper (1750–1779) , an American Revolutionary War hero
32,694
938 sq mi (2,429 km2 )
Jeff Davis County
243
Fort Davis
1887
Presidio County
Jefferson Davis , president of the Confederate States of America (1861–1865)
1,856
2,265 sq mi (5,866 km2 )
Jefferson County
245
Beaumont
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Thomas Jefferson , the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1801–1809)
251,496
904 sq mi (2,341 km2 )
Jim Hogg County
247
Hebbronville
1913
Brooks County and Duval County
James Stephen Hogg , the twentieth (and first native-born) governor of Texas (1891–1895)
4,720
1,136 sq mi (2,942 km2 )
Jim Wells County
249
Alice
1911
Nueces County
James Babbage Wells Jr. , judge and Democratic party boss in southern Texas
38,662
865 sq mi (2,240 km2 )
Johnson County
251
Cleburne
1854
Ellis County , Hill County and Navarro County
Middleton Tate Johnson, a Texas Ranger, soldier in the Mexican–American War, and senator for the Republic of Texas
202,906
729 sq mi (1,888 km2 )
Jones County
253
Anson
1854
Bexar County and Bosque County
Anson Jones , the fifth president of the Republic of Texas (1844–1846)
20,381
931 sq mi (2,411 km2 )
Karnes County
255
Karnes City
1854
Bexar County , DeWitt County , Goliad County , Gonzales County and San Patricio County
Henry Karnes (1812–1840) , a soldier in the Texas Revolution
15,018
750 sq mi (1,942 km2 )
Kaufman County
257
Kaufman
1848
Henderson County
David Spangler Kaufman , a Jewish Texas state senator and the second Jewish member of the United States House of Representatives
185,690
786 sq mi (2,036 km2 )
Kendall County
259
Boerne
1862
Blanco County and Kerr County
George Wilkins Kendall , an early journalist and sheep rancher who gained national fame as a war correspondent during the Mexican–American War
50,537
662 sq mi (1,715 km2 )
Kenedy County
261
Sarita
1921
Hidalgo County and Willacy County (Due to a reorganization of Willacy County)
Mifflin Kenedy , an early rancher and land speculator
343
1,457 sq mi (3,774 km2 )
Kent County
263
Jayton
1876
Bexar County
Andrew Kent , who died at the Battle of the Alamo
734
902 sq mi (2,336 km2 )
Kerr County
265
Kerrville
1856
Bexar County
James Kerr (1790–1850) , an early colonist in Texas and soldier in the Texas Revolution
53,915
1,106 sq mi (2,865 km2 )
Kimble County
267
Junction
1858
Bexar County
George C. Kimbell , who died at the Battle of the Alamo (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county)
4,442
1,251 sq mi (3,240 km2 )
King County
269
Guthrie
1876
Bexar County
William Phillip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
217
912 sq mi (2,362 km2 )
Kinney County
271
Brackettville
1850
Bexar County
Henry Lawrence Kinney , a Texas state senator and unsuccessful land speculator
3,148
1,364 sq mi (3,533 km2 )
Kleberg County
273
Kingsville
1913
Nueces County
Robert Justus Kleberg (1803–1888) , an early German settler and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
30,069
871 sq mi (2,256 km2 )
Knox County
275
Benjamin
1858
Bexar County
Henry Knox , the first secretary of war of the United States (1785–1794)
3,302
854 sq mi (2,212 km2 )
Lamar County
277
Paris
1840
Red River County
Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar , the third president of the Republic of Texas (1838–1842)
51,127
917 sq mi (2,375 km2 )
Lamb County
279
Littlefield
1876
Bexar County
George A. Lamb, who died at the Battle of San Jacinto
12,711
1,016 sq mi (2,631 km2 )
Lampasas County
281
Lampasas
1856
Bell County , Coryell County and Travis County
The Lampasas River (Lampasas is Spanish for "lilies")
23,262
712 sq mi (1,844 km2 )
La Salle County
283
Cotulla
1858
Bexar County
René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643–1687) , the French explorer who traveled through Texas
6,537
1,489 sq mi (3,856 km2 )
Lavaca County
285
Hallettsville
1842
Colorado County , Fayette County , Gonzales County , Jackson County and Victoria County Named La Buca County until 1846
The Lavaca River (La vaca is Spanish for "the cow")
20,571
970 sq mi (2,512 km2 )
Lee County
287
Giddings
1874
Bastrop County , Burleson County , Fayette County and Washington County
Robert Edward Lee (1807–1870) , the commanding general of the Confederate forces during the Civil War
18,240
629 sq mi (1,629 km2 )
Leon County
289
Centerville
1846
Robertson County
Disputed: Either Mexican empresario Martín De León , who founded Victoria, Texas ; or the león , a local variety of yellow wolf
16,538
1,072 sq mi (2,776 km2 )
Liberty County
291
Liberty
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , which was named either for the recent success of the Mexican War of Independence or for Liberty, Mississippi
108,272
1,160 sq mi (3,004 km2 )
Limestone County
293
Groesbeck
1846
Robertson County
The limestone deposits in the region
22,250
909 sq mi (2,354 km2 )
Lipscomb County
295
Lipscomb
1876
Bexar County
Abner Smith Lipscomb , justice of the Texas Supreme Court (1846–1856) and secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (1840)
2,906
932 sq mi (2,414 km2 )
Live Oak County
297
George West
1856
Nueces County and San Patricio County
The Texas live oak tree under which the petition for a new county was signed
11,584
1,036 sq mi (2,683 km2 )
Llano County
299
Llano
1856
Bexar County , Gillespie County
The Llano River (Llano is Spanish for "plains")
22,875
935 sq mi (2,422 km2 )
Loving County
301
Mentone
1887
Tom Green County (1891)Reeves County (1931)
Oliver Loving (1812–1867) , a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who, with Charles Goodnight , developed the Goodnight–Loving Trail
43
673 sq mi (1,743 km2 )
Lubbock County
303
Lubbock
1876
Bexar County
Thomas Saltus Lubbock (1817–1862) , a Texas Ranger and Confederate colonel during the Civil War
320,940
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Lynn County
305
Tahoka
1876
Bexar County
William Lynn , a soldier in the Texas Revolution from Massachusetts who is believed to have died defending the Alamo
5,761
892 sq mi (2,310 km2 )
McCulloch County
307
Brady
1856
Bexar County
Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862) , veteran of San Jacinto , Texas Ranger, and Confederate general
7,452
1,069 sq mi (2,769 km2 )
McLennan County
309
Waco
1850
Limestone County and Milam County
Neil McLennan , an early settler in the future county
268,583
1,042 sq mi (2,699 km2 )
McMullen County
311
Tilden
1858
Atascosa County , Bexar County and Live Oak County
John McMullen (1832–1883) , an Irish-born empresario in Texas
568
1,113 sq mi (2,883 km2 )
Madison County
313
Madisonville
1853
Grimes County , Leon County and Walker County
James Madison , the fourth president of the United States (1809–1817)
13,742
470 sq mi (1,217 km2 )
Marion County
315
Jefferson
1860
Cass County
Francis Marion (1732–1795) , American Revolutionary War general
9,571
381 sq mi (987 km2 )
Martin County
317
Stanton
1876
Bexar County
Wylie Martin, a Texas Revolutionary soldier and legislative representative for the Republic of Texas
5,216
915 sq mi (2,370 km2 )
Mason County
319
Mason
1858
Gillespie County
Fort Mason , which was named for either Lt. George T. Mason , killed during the Mexican–American War in fighting near Brownsville , or for Gen. Richard Barnes Mason , military governor of California
3,931
932 sq mi (2,414 km2 )
Matagorda County
321
Bay City
1836
One of the original 23 counties
The canebrakes which once grew along the coast (Mata gorda is Spanish for "fat bush")
36,359
1,114 sq mi (2,885 km2 )
Maverick County
323
Eagle Pass
1856
Kinney County
Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803–1870) , a rancher, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and representative in the Republic of Texas legislature
57,762
1,280 sq mi (3,315 km2 )
Medina County
325
Hondo
1848
Bexar County
The Medina River , named for Spanish engineer Pedro de Medina
54,797
1,328 sq mi (3,440 km2 )
Menard County
327
Menard
1858
Bexar County
Michel Branamour Menard , the founder of Galveston, Texas
1,958
902 sq mi (2,336 km2 )
Midland County
329
Midland
1885
Tom Green County
Its county seat , which was named for its location halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railway (and "Midway, Texas ", being already in use)
177,108
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Milam County
331
Cameron
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Benjamin Rush Milam (1788–1835) , an early Texas colonizer and soldier in the Texas Revolution
25,951
1,017 sq mi (2,634 km2 )
Mills County
333
Goldthwaite
1887
Brown County , Comanche County , Hamilton County and Lampasas County
John T. Mills (1817–1871) , a Texas Supreme Court judge
4,548
748 sq mi (1,937 km2 )
Mitchell County
335
Colorado City
1876
Bexar County
Asa and Eli Mitchell, two early settlers and soldiers in the Texas Revolution
9,075
910 sq mi (2,357 km2 )
Montague County
337
Montague
1857
Cooke County
Daniel Montague , a state senator and early surveyor in the future county
21,598
931 sq mi (2,411 km2 )
Montgomery County
339
Conroe
1837
Washington County
Montgomery, Texas , which was named for Montgomery County, Alabama , which was named for Major Lemuel P. Montgomery , Sam Houston 's commanding officer in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814)
711,354
1,044 sq mi (2,704 km2 )
Moore County
341
Dumas
1876
Bexar County
Edwin Ward Moore (1810–1865) , commodore of the Texan Navy
21,190
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Morris County
343
Daingerfield
1875
Titus County
William Wright Morris, a planter and state legislator
12,066
254 sq mi (658 km2 )
Motley County
345
Matador
1876
Bexar County
Junius William Mottley, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
1,020
989 sq mi (2,561 km2 )
Nacogdoches County
347
Nacogdoches
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , which was named for the Nacogdoche Native American tribe
65,375
947 sq mi (2,453 km2 )
Navarro County
349
Corsicana
1846
Robertson County
José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871) , a leading Tejano participant in the Texan Revolution and signer of the Texan Declaration of Independence
55,635
1,071 sq mi (2,774 km2 )
Newton County
351
Newton
1846
Jasper County
John Newton (1755–1780) , a veteran of the Revolutionary War
12,039
933 sq mi (2,416 km2 )
Nolan County
353
Sweetwater
1876
Bexar County
Philip Nolan (1771–1801) , a mustanger who was killed by Spanish troops while on a mission into Texas
14,306
912 sq mi (2,362 km2 )
Nueces County
355
Corpus Christi
1846
San Patricio County
The Nueces River (Nueces is Spanish for "nuts")
352,289
836 sq mi (2,165 km2 )
Ochiltree County
357
Perryton
1876
Bexar County
William Beck Ochiltree (1811–1867) , secretary of the treasury for the Republic of Texas and legislator for the state of Texas
9,704
918 sq mi (2,378 km2 )
Oldham County
359
Vega
1876
Bexar County
Williamson Simpson Oldham, a Confederate Senator for Texas
1,783
1,501 sq mi (3,888 km2 )
Orange County
361
Orange
1852
Jefferson County
An orange grove planted by early settlers at the mouth of the Sabine River
85,722
356 sq mi (922 km2 )
Palo Pinto County
363
Palo Pinto
1856
Bosque County and Navarro County
The Palo Pinto Creek (Palo Pinto is Spanish for "painted stick")
29,747
953 sq mi (2,468 km2 )
Panola County
365
Carthage
1846
Harrison County and Shelby County
A Native American word for cotton .
22,838
801 sq mi (2,075 km2 )
Parker County
367
Weatherford
1855
Bosque County and Navarro County
Isaac Parker, legislator for both the Republic of Texas and the state of Texas
173,494
904 sq mi (2,341 km2 )
Parmer County
369
Farwell
1876
Bexar County
Martin Parmer (1778–1850) , a Republic of Texas legislator, judge, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
9,617
882 sq mi (2,284 km2 )
Pecos County
371
Fort Stockton
1871
Presidio County
The Pecos River , which was named for the Pecos Pueblo , which is of unknown etymology
14,623
4,764 sq mi (12,339 km2 )
Polk County
373
Livingston
1846
Liberty County
James Knox Polk , the eleventh president of the United States (1845–1849)
54,186
1,057 sq mi (2,738 km2 )
Potter County
375
Amarillo
1876
Bexar County
Robert Potter (1800–1842) , secretary of the navy for the Republic of Texas, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
114,647
909 sq mi (2,354 km2 )
Presidio County
377
Marfa
1850
Santa Fe County
Presidio del Norte, an eighteenth-century fort and settlement on the south side of the Rio Grande
5,795
3,856 sq mi (9,987 km2 )
Rains County
379
Emory
1870
Hopkins County , Hunt County and Wood County
Emory Rains (1800–1878) , a state senator and surveyor of the future county
12,986
259 sq mi (671 km2 )
Randall County
381
Canyon
1876
Bexar County
Horace Randal, a Confederate brigadier general in the Civil War
148,255
914 sq mi (2,367 km2 )
Reagan County
383
Big Lake
1903
Tom Green County
John H. Reagan (1818–1905) , Confederate postmaster general, U.S. Congressman, and Governor of Texas
3,141
1,175 sq mi (3,043 km2 )
Real County
385
Leakey
1913
Bandera County , Edwards County and Kerr County
Julius Real , a rancher and state senator
2,854
700 sq mi (1,813 km2 )
Red River County
387
Clarksville
1836
One of the original 23 counties
The Red River of Texas
11,678
1,050 sq mi (2,719 km2 )
Reeves County
389
Pecos
1883
Pecos County
George Robertson Reeves, a Texas state representative and colonel in the Confederate army
11,770
2,636 sq mi (6,827 km2 )
Refugio County
391
Refugio
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , which was named for the Spanish mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio , "Our Lady of Refuge"
6,666
770 sq mi (1,994 km2 )
Roberts County
393
Miami
1876
Bexar County
John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texan Declaration of Independence, and his brother Oran Milo Roberts , attorney general for the Republic of Texas and the seventeenth governor of Texas
840
924 sq mi (2,393 km2 )
Robertson County
395
Franklin
1837
Bexar County , Milam County and Nacogdoches County
Sterling Clack Robertson, an empresario in Mexican Texas
17,267
855 sq mi (2,214 km2 )
Rockwall County
397
Rockwall
1873
Kaufman County
Its county seat , which was named for a submerged stone wall found by its initial settlers
131,307
149 sq mi (386 km2 )
Runnels County
399
Ballinger
1858
Bexar County and Travis County
Hiram Runnels , the ninth governor of Mississippi (1833–1835) and planter in Texas
9,868
1,054 sq mi (2,730 km2 )
Rusk County
401
Henderson
1843
Nacogdoches County
Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857) , a general in the Texas Revolution
53,079
924 sq mi (2,393 km2 )
Sabine County
403
Hemphill
1836
One of the original 23 counties
The Sabine River , which forms its eastern border (Sabina is Spanish for "cypress")
10,106
490 sq mi (1,269 km2 )
San Augustine County
405
San Augustine
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Presumably Augustine of Hippo (354–430)
7,833
528 sq mi (1,368 km2 )
San Jacinto County
407
Coldspring
1870
Liberty County , Montgomery County , Polk County and Walker County
The Battle of San Jacinto , which won Texas its independence from Mexico. San Jacinto is Spanish for Saint Hyacinth
28,936
571 sq mi (1,479 km2 )
San Patricio County
409
Sinton
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its former county seat San Patricio de Hibernia , an Irish colony named for Saint Patrick
70,660
692 sq mi (1,792 km2 )
San Saba County
411
San Saba
1856
Bexar County
The San Saba River , discovered on the Catholic feast of Saint Sabbas
5,845
1,134 sq mi (2,937 km2 )
Schleicher County
413
Eldorado
1887
Crockett County
Gustav Schleicher , engineer and U.S. Congressman from Texas
2,391
1,311 sq mi (3,395 km2 )
Scurry County
415
Snyder
1876
Bexar County
William Read Scurry (1821–1864) , a Texas state legislator and Confederate general
16,212
903 sq mi (2,339 km2 )
Shackelford County
417
Albany
1858
Bosque County
Jack Shackelford , a soldier of the Texas Revolution
3,229
914 sq mi (2,367 km2 )
Shelby County
419
Center
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Isaac Shelby , a Revolutionary War soldier from Tennessee and governor of Kentucky (1792–1796) (1812–1816)
24,179
794 sq mi (2,056 km2 )
Sherman County
421
Stratford
1876
Bexar County
Sidney Sherman (1805–1873) , a soldier in the Texas Revolution
2,678
923 sq mi (2,391 km2 )
Smith County
423
Tyler
1846
Nacogdoches County
James Smith , a general during the Texas Revolution
245,209
928 sq mi (2,404 km2 )
Somervell County
425
Glen Rose
1875
Hood County
Alexander Somervell, a soldier in the Texas Revolution and leader of the Somervell Expedition
9,888
187 sq mi (484 km2 )
Starr County
427
Rio Grande City
1848
Nueces County
James Harper Starr (1809–1890) , a treasurer for the Republic of Texas and Confederate official
65,934
1,223 sq mi (3,168 km2 )
Stephens County
429
Breckenridge
1858
Bosque County Named Buchanan County until 1861
Alexander Hamilton Stephens , the only vice-president of the Confederate States of America (1861–1865)
9,343
895 sq mi (2,318 km2 )
Sterling County
431
Sterling City
1891
Tom Green County
W. S. Sterling, an early rancher, buffalo hunter, and Native American fighter
1,397
923 sq mi (2,391 km2 )
Stonewall County
433
Aspermont
1876
Bexar County
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824–1863) , the famous Confederate General
1,218
919 sq mi (2,380 km2 )
Sutton County
435
Sonora
1887
Crockett County
John Schuyler Sutton, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution and Mexican–American War
3,221
1,454 sq mi (3,766 km2 )
Swisher County
437
Tulia
1876
Bexar County
James Gibson Swisher, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
6,955
900 sq mi (2,331 km2 )
Tarrant County
439
Fort Worth
1849
Navarro County
Edward H. Tarrant , a U.S. Army general who drove the Native Americans out of the future county
2,182,947
864 sq mi (2,238 km2 )
Taylor County
441
Abilene
1858
Bexar County and Travis County
Edward Taylor (1812–1836) , George Taylor (1816–1836) , and James Taylor (1814–1836) , three brothers who died at the Alamo
146,836
916 sq mi (2,372 km2 )
Terrell County
443
Sanderson
1905
Pecos County
Alexander Watkins Terrell , attorney, judge, state legislator, diplomat, and Confederate cavalry officer
687
2,358 sq mi (6,107 km2 )
Terry County
445
Brownfield
1876
Bexar County
Frank Terry, a Confederate colonel and commander of Terry's Texas Rangers
11,547
890 sq mi (2,305 km2 )
Throckmorton County
447
Throckmorton
1858
Fannin County
William Edward Throckmorton , an early Collin County settler
1,526
912 sq mi (2,362 km2 )
Titus County
449
Mount Pleasant
1846
Bowie County
Andrew Jackson Titus, planter and Texas state representative
31,357
411 sq mi (1,064 km2 )
Tom Green County
451
San Angelo
1874
Bexar County
Thomas Green (1814–1864) , a Confederate brigadier general
119,057
1,522 sq mi (3,942 km2 )
Travis County
453
Austin
1840
Bastrop County
William Barret Travis (1809–1836) , the commander of the Texan forces at the Alamo
1,334,961
989 sq mi (2,561 km2 )
Trinity County
455
Groveton
1850
Houston County
The Trinity River , named for the spiritual concept of the Trinity
14,228
693 sq mi (1,795 km2 )
Tyler County
457
Woodville
1846
Liberty County
John Tyler , the tenth president of the United States (1841–1845)
20,382
923 sq mi (2,391 km2 )
Upshur County
459
Gilmer
1846
Harrison County
Abel Parker Upshur , the fifteenth secretary of state of the United States (1843–1844)
43,281
588 sq mi (1,523 km2 )
Upton County
461
Rankin
1887
Tom Green County
John C. & William F. Upton, brothers and lieutenant colonels in the Confederate army during the Civil War
3,109
1,242 sq mi (3,217 km2 )
Uvalde County
463
Uvalde
1850
Bexar County
The Cañón de Ugalde, a nearby battlefield where Spanish General Juan de Ugalde was victorious in a skirmish with over 300 Apaches
24,960
1,557 sq mi (4,033 km2 )
Val Verde County
465
Del Rio
1885
Crockett County , Kinney County and Pecos County
Civil War Battle of Val Verde (Val Verde is Spanish for "green valley")
47,720
3,171 sq mi (8,213 km2 )
Van Zandt County
467
Canton
1848
Henderson County
Isaac Van Zandt (1813–1847) , attorney, Texas state representative, and diplomat
64,000
849 sq mi (2,199 km2 )
Victoria County
469
Victoria
1836
One of the original 23 counties
Its county seat , which was named for Guadalupe Victoria , Mexican revolutionary and its first president (1824–1829)
91,664
883 sq mi (2,287 km2 )
Walker County
471
Huntsville
1846
Montgomery County
Robert J. Walker (1801–1869); officially renamed after Samuel Hamilton Walker (no relation) (1815–1847) , a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Mexican–American War
81,268
788 sq mi (2,041 km2 )
Waller County
473
Hempstead
1873
Austin County and Grimes County
Edwin Waller (1800–1881) , a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first mayor of Austin, Texas
63,553
514 sq mi (1,331 km2 )
Ward County
475
Monahans
1887
Tom Green County
Thomas William Ward , a commissioner for the General Land Office of Texas and mayor of Austin, Texas
10,966
836 sq mi (2,165 km2 )
Washington County
477
Brenham
1836
One of the original 23 counties
George Washington , the first president of the United States (1789–1797)
37,007
609 sq mi (1,577 km2 )
Webb County
479
Laredo
1848
Nueces County
James Webb , who served as secretary of the Treasury, secretary of State, and Attorney General of the Republic of Texas
269,148
3,357 sq mi (8,695 km2 )
Wharton County
481
Wharton
1846
Colorado County , Jackson County and Matagorda County
William Harris Wharton (1802–1839) and John Austin Wharton (1806–1838) , brothers and officers in the Texas Revolution
41,739
1,090 sq mi (2,823 km2 )
Wheeler County
483
Wheeler
1876
Bexar County
Royal Tyler Wheeler , the second Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
4,804
914 sq mi (2,367 km2 )
Wichita County
485
Wichita Falls
1858
Cooke County
The Wichita Native American tribe
130,180
628 sq mi (1,627 km2 )
Wilbarger County
487
Vernon
1858
Bexar County
Josiah P. (1801–1845) and Mathias Wilbarger, brothers and early settlers; Josiah became a mythical figure for living 11 years after being scalped
12,522
971 sq mi (2,515 km2 )
Willacy County
489
Raymondville
1911
Cameron County and Hidalgo County
John G. Willacy , Texas state senator who was the author of the bill that established the county
20,037
597 sq mi (1,546 km2 )
Williamson County
491
Georgetown
1848
Milam County
Robert McAlpin Williamson , a leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto
697,191
1,124 sq mi (2,911 km2 )
Wilson County
493
Floresville
1860
Bexar County , Guadalupe County and Karnes County
James Charles Wilson , a Texas state senator (1851–1853)
54,183
807 sq mi (2,090 km2 )
Winkler County
495
Kermit
1887
Tom Green County
Clinton Winkler , an appeals court judge, Texas state representative, and Confederate colonel
7,414
841 sq mi (2,178 km2 )
Wise County
497
Decatur
1856
Cooke County
Henry Alexander Wise , the U.S. Congressman and future thirty-eighth governor of Virginia (1856–1860) who supported the annexation of Texas
78,097
905 sq mi (2,344 km2 )
Wood County
499
Quitman
1850
Van Zandt County
George Tyler Wood , the second governor of Texas (1847–1849)
47,921
650 sq mi (1,683 km2 )
Yoakum County
501
Plains
1876
Bexar County
Henderson King Yoakum (1810–1856) , soldier, attorney, and Texas historian
7,468
800 sq mi (2,072 km2 )
Young County
503
Graham
1856
Bosque County and Fannin County
William Cocke Young , early Texas settler, attorney, sheriff, and United States Marshal
18,124
922 sq mi (2,388 km2 )
Zapata County
505
Zapata
1858
Starr County and Webb County
José Antonio Zapata, a local rancher and colonel of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande
13,736
997 sq mi (2,582 km2 )
Zavala County
507
Crystal City
1846
Maverick County
Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836) , signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first Vice-President of the Republic of Texas
9,312
1,299 sq mi (3,364 km2 )
Defunct counties
There have been at least thirty-two counties established by Texas law that no longer exist. These fall into five categories: judicial counties; counties established by the Constitutional Convention of 1868–69; counties never organized which were abolished by legislative act; counties whose territory is no longer considered part of the state; and counties whose names have been changed.[ 12]
Buchel County , formed in 1887 from Presidio County . Annexed in 1897 to Brewster County .
Dawson County, formed in 1858 in what is now Kinney County and Uvalde County and abolished in 1866 (not to be confused with the present-day Dawson County ).
Encinal County , formed in 1856. Abolished in 1899 and annexed to Webb County .
Foley County , formed in 1887 from Presidio County . Annexed in 1897 to Brewster County .
Greer County , formed in 1860. Separated from Texas by U.S. Supreme Court ruling in United States v. the State of Texas , 162 U.S. 1 (1896) and is now part of southwestern Oklahoma .
Perdido County , formed in 1824 and forgotten during the upheavals of the 1840s. Perdido was reportedly abolished in 1858 and again in 1871. Records of annexation to Dawson County are also inconclusive.
Santa Fe County, Texas formed in 1848 from lands claimed by the Republic of Texas and ceded by Mexico . It included a vast area later becoming portions of several states from New Mexico east of the Rio Grande extending northward into south-central Wyoming . Within Texas' modern boundaries, the county included the Trans-Pecos and most of the Panhandle . The county was abolished when Texas ceded its western lands under the Compromise of 1850 .
Wegefarth County , formed in 1873 in the Texas Panhandle and abolished in 1876.
Worth County , formed in 1850 from part of Santa Fe County. Abolished under the Compromise of 1850 and is now part of east-central New Mexico.
See also
References
^ "How Many Counties are in Your State?" . Click and Learn. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009 .
^ "TSHA: County organization" . The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011 .
^ "TSHA: Kenedy County" . The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011 .
^ "TSHA: Loving County" . The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 19, 2011 .
^ "County government structure" . Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2007 .
^ "County official information" . Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. Retrieved April 27, 2007 .
^ "FIPS Publish 6-4" . National Institute of Standards and Technology. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2007 .
^ "EPA County FIPS Code Listing" . EPA. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007 .
^ a b c National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county" . Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007 .
^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Texas" . U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved April 19, 2024 .
^ "Texas Association of Counties facts" . Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007 .
^ "TSHA Defunct Counties" . The Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved April 20, 2007 .
Sources
External links